A Moment with Matt: Go For The Win
By Matt Woolfolk
As we roll out of summer and into fall, it’s time to gear up for the season of sales. I’ve written about this before, but fall is also the exciting start of the college football season. As many of us live in SEC country, we understand the importance of kicking off the three months of battle on the gridiron. There’s nothing more fun than winning a friendly wager with a buddy who happens to be a fan of a rival opponent and nothing hurts worse than having to pay up when your alma mater doesn’t hold up their end of the bargain.
Most of you know by now that I’m the biggest Mississippi State fan in the Beefmaster business (followed closely in second by John Long of the Swinging B Ranch). I love my alma mater and will support them no matter the circumstances. The head coach of my Bulldogs, Dan Mullen, is arguably the best coach Mississippi State has ever had. Last fall, I wrote an article about how Coach Mullen took Mississippi State from bottom of the league to #1 in the country. However, he is by no means a perfect football coach. He has a flaw that annoys me to no end as a State fan. When a “big game†pops up on the schedule my beloved Bulldogs play differently, and not in a good way. Everything changes from a “play to win†mentality against the week 1 small schools to a “play it safe†style when the big time rivals come to play. Everything on the field, from play calling to leadership, changes when Alabama, Texas A&M, or Ole Miss is the opponent. Simply put, Coach Mullen and the Bulldogs play like they are afraid to make a mistake instead of trying to make the plays to win. And after seven years of this philosophy in Starkville, it’s clear that playing scared doesn’t work against the big boys.
We, as Beefmaster breeders, can learn from Coach Mullen. In the cattle business, a lot of us play it safe. We do things the way we always have and we don’t really want to try something new. A big reason that we don’t want to try something new is the fear that it won’t work. Whether it’s football, cattle, or business nobody has the perfect game plan for success. Mistakes will be made on the way to victory. However, those that are willing to branch out and push their limits are often the ones with the biggest reward at the end. You can settle for the field goal to tie the game or go for the winning touchdown. You can use the same management program that has kept your herd in the same spot for years or you can try that new idea you’ve always wanted in an effort to move your program forward. It may not work, but you will never know if you never take the opportunity to try.
As you settle in on a Saturday night this fall to watch your favorite team on the field, take notice of the attitude of the teams that are winning the big games. The teams that are well-prepared by their coaches, execute their game plan and takes some smart, calculated risks are usually the ones doing the victory interview with ESPN. The coaches that have their teams uptight and playing afraid of making a mistake on the big stage? Well, that team is probably supported by a lot of disappointed fans.